2020/2021 – For many businesses this has been a challenging period. For the live events industry, the challenges cannot be understated, and probably need little explanation. Because of this, I see the key themes of the year as perseverance, adaptability and optimism.
What have you achieved?
With live events across the world put on hold during the height of the pandemic, the main part of my business had to go on hold too. But this has meant I’ve been able to branch into a varied selection of projects which wouldn’t have been possible without the new and digital landscape of opportunities being presented.
During the latter half of 2020 I provided magical consultancy for a local theatre show which was performed live and across zoom (hybrid). The show was extremely successful and has gone on to be nominated for a Norfolk Arts Award and will tour at the Edinburgh Festival later this year. I wrote about this amazing experience on my website
Following the theme of connecting with people and performing digitally, I have also been working hard on two other projects – one an online community for Norfolk and Suffolk wedding couples and suppliers to connect, and the other an ambitious entertainment and education online experience. Both of these will launch in the near future.
How has this helped your business?
All three of these projects and more that follow have embraced the collaborative and online way of working. I’ve helped set up projects entirely over conference call, a particularly new and challenging, yet rewarding experience. Going forward, I’m able to continue to adapt and take on new opportunities to reach and work with new audiences.
And as the situation develops and live events return, I’m able to continue to grow in both the digital and in-person spaces. I’m able to connect with customers, colleagues and suppliers in more and more interesting and creative ways. At the end of this month, I’ll be performing at Norwich Pride Live – a virtual show broadcast live from the same venue as Finding Magic was broadcast last year. It’s fantastic experiences like this that allow me to bridge live performance, new opportunities, reaching new audiences and exploring a new creative medium.
Can this success help your customers or other Norfolk businesses?
Absolutely, all of these new experiences allow me to better myself and my offerings, as well as being able to offer different kinds of services such as online zoom magic shows.
Throughout the last year I’ve been able to connect together more businesses and locals via online channels – now that it’s so much easier to connect and collaborate over Zoom. I’m particularly excited to launch the online wedding community which we want to make the ‘go-to place’ for local couples and suppliers to connect.
Why is this success reason to celebrate?
With the old and oft-quoted figure of 40% small business failing in five years, and entering my fifth year still here with confidence, there’s much to celebrate. Overcoming challenges this year needed huge amounts of adaption and perseverance, but has also allowed me to bounce back strong, grow and explore new ideas.
For any business that’s made it this far and continues to turn, we can celebrate being able to continue with the mission and spreading the core values – whatever they may be. For me, this means continuing to be able to share my own passion for creating magical moments, now both digitally and in real life.
David Fung
David is a professional magician based in Norwich. A lifelong student and performer of the art of magic, David brings a collection of polished routines and showmanship to his performances, whether in up-close magic or on the stage. As an Associate Member of the Inner Magic Circle and having performed at a wide range of occasions from corporate events to children’s parties and everything in between, you can ensure your guests are left thoroughly entertained when David enters the room.
Socials: @davidfunguk
Phone: 07882 278 608